Leister Sam Sudheer Manickam Phd

Integrative Psychotherapy Leister Sam Sudheer Manickam Phd

All too few books have been written which integrate psycho spiritual teachings and practices of the 'East' and psychotherapeutic theories and teaching techniques of the 'West'. This work delineates the concepts related to the integrative nature of the person, and the integrative process of change resulting from the integrative intervention strategies, which are referred to in ancient Indian thought. The relevance of these concepts in overcoming the obstacles to psychotherapy integration is also brought forth. The salient features of the integrative concepts in the Indian thought are: 1. The integrative theory of person states that the person (Atman) is composed of the same five basic elements which the Universe (Brahman) is constituted and the objective of the person is to become one with Brahman. 2. The person is composed of five sheaths (kosas), viz., annamaya (physical), pranamaya (psychophysiological), manomaya (psychological), vijnanamaya (intellectual or knowledge), and anandamaya (spiritual or beyond). The functions of each kosa are interconnected within and are interlinked to the five elements of Brahman. 3. The person also possesses three gunas (qualities)- sattva (pure-clear), rajas (affective-active) and tamas (inert-dark) and the preponderance of these qualities determines the type of the person. 4. Three of the integrative intervention frameworks of the Indian thought: Ayurveda, Bhagavadgita, and Yoga are therapeutic to the preponderance of problems at particular levels of the kosas. 5. The intervention, at any level of the kosa would have its impact in other kosas. Based on the framework provided, the possibility of integrating the existing therapies is also discussed. Research needs to be undertaken to validate problem kosa matched, guna matched, and technique/approach matched therapy which could be maximally effective.